A Tour of our Ilkeston Setting...
Entrance Hall
We enter the Nursery through the main doors and we are in the entrance hall. The welcome posters, parents’ messages and staff pictures are already starting to make us feel at home. Let’s go through to the Baby Room to see where it all starts.
Baby Room
Welcome to the Baby Room…
Our dedicated Baby Room caters for babies aged from 3 months until they are 18 months to 2 years old.
From the age of 18 months we will assess a child’s individual needs and determine the right time to begin visits to the Toddler Room to gain more experience and to play with the toddlers before moving up to the Toddler Room. Visits will be gradually increased in duration until the child is comfortable with the move up.
It can be a big step to enter a new place with new adults and children and to ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible we offer 3 x 2 hour visits free of charge.
You may be able to see the separate cot room containing 2 cots and we also have sleep mats for any child who prefers to sleep on the floor.
Nappy changing is carried out using the changing facilities in our laundry area, which is adjacent to the baby room through the wooden gate.
The pictures show some of a wide variety of toys and activities available including:-
- Construction toys e.g. wooden bricks, mega blocks etc.
- Floor toys
- Fine Manipulative Toys
- Homecorner Language Toys
- Physical Toys
- Creative Activities
- Messy Activities Books
Ofsted commented, “The daily routine is balanced effectively allowing for active and quiet times. A satisfactory range of age appropriate activities and play experiences are provided for children”.
Let’s carry on with the tour shall we…..?
Downstairs Hall
Through the hall and on to the Toddler Room …
Toddler Room
It’s time to welcome you to the Toddler Room…
For children already attending the Nursery, between the age of 18 months and 2 years we move children out of our Baby Room and into the Toddler Room to offer them greater stimulation in their continuing development. Sometimes new children join us in the Toddler Room and are entitled to 3 free settling in sessions.
In the Toddler Room children under the age of 3 follow their own curriculum called “Birth to Three Matters” which involves us promoting your child by encouraging them to be a healthy child, a confident child etc. We plan activities to fit in with these targets.
You may be able to see some of the equipment we use for activities during the day which may include:
- Construction toys e.g. wooden bricks, mega blocks etc.
- Imaginative play e.g. small world house and people, fairground etc.
- Messy activities e.g. compost, shaving foam, baby lotion etc.
- Creative activities e.g. painting, sticking etc.
- Manipulative/Intellectual toys e.g. puzzles, threading cards etc.
- Stories and songs.
- Role play e.g. workbench, kitchen etc.
- Book area with a wide range of age appropriate books.
Ofsted commented, “The daily routine is balanced effectively allowing for active and quiet times. A satisfactory range of age appropriate activities and play experiences are provided for children”.
We encourage potty training in the Toddler Room and our bathroom, which leads directly off the Toddler Room, is equipped with low toilets, potties and sinks as well as have nappy changing facilities.
At around a child’s 3rd birthday it is time for Pre-School and the Foundation Stage Curriculum. Let’s wonder up the back stairs and see if we can get a sneak preview shall we?
Before we do we’ll just catch a glimpse of the kitchen.
Kitchen
This is where it all happens. Freshly cooked food on the premises prepared every day by our in-house Cook.
Ofsted commented “Children’s dietary requirements are met through healthy, nutritious, freshly prepared meals”.
Pre-School
Children over the age of 3 follow the Foundation Stage curriculum leading them into a school environment.
Under the Government’s grant funding scheme we offer 5 x 3 hours per week of FREE education for all children commencing the term following their 3rd birthday at a staffing ratio of 1 member of staff to 8 children. Please ask if you require further details.
We also provide vibrant before and after school clubs which include meals, care, activities and collection or drop offs at local schools.
Our Pre-School Room has a toilet area adjacent which is equipped with low toilets and sinks.
Freshly prepared meals and drinks are provided by our in-house Cook at regular intervals during the day.
Outdoor Play Area
Outdoor play is an essential part of all children’s development. Our outdoor play comprises a medium sized fenced garden to the side of the Nursery building. It actually has tall trees growing along the side adjacent to the footpath in addition to the fence so is private and secure.
Our Beeston setting comprises 2 baby rooms, 2 toddler rooms and a large separate Pre-school...
It is really new so a proper tour and some photos will follow... watch this space!